Puckett Suffers Vision Problems

Minnesota Twins slugger Kirby Puckett reported vision problems--including seeing a black dot in front of his right eye--and underwent tests, but it was too early to tell whether his problem was serious. His status for opening day Monday is uncertain. . . . Boston Red Sox slugger Kevin Mitchell and pitcher Stan Belinda will not be on the opening-day roster. Mitchell, a late-signing free agent, will stay in Florida to work on his hitting and Belinda will begin on the disabled list because of tendinitis. . . . Cincinnati Reds reliever Chuck McElroy, the only left-hander in the bullpen, was placed on the 15-day DL because of a pulled hamstring. . . . Brent Simpson, 5, of Garrettsville, Ohio, who was seeking autographs from Cleveland Indian players, suffered a broken pelvis when a car driven about by the Indians’ Manny Rameriz accidently knocked him down in the parking lot at Chain O’Lakes Park in Winter Haven, Fla. Ramirez was not cited.